Baltimore Sisters Help Local Teens Build Confidence for Prom

BALTIMORE SISTERS Help Local Teens Build Confidence for Prom

By: Ashley Hoogstraten Burk (Beta Pi 2007/Eastern Illinois)

It’s no secret that Alpha Sigma Tau’s partnership with Dress for Success has been a hit from the start, but events like this really reinforce that we are right where we’re meant to be.

After gaining inspiration from hearing Dress for Success Worldwide CEO Joi Gordon speak at the Sorority’s 42nd National Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Emily Hamsher Kindred (Beta Delta 2008/Duquesne) reached out to her local affiliate to see what the Baltimore Alumnae Chapter could do to support their efforts. Unfortunately Dress for Success Greater Baltimore was going through a transition and didn’t have any opportunities for the chapter at the time, but it wasn’t long before Sisters had an opportunity to connect with Dress for Success and give back. Just a few months later, the affiliate contacted the Baltimore Alumnae chapter with an opportunity: to outfit young women in the area with dresses and accessories for their high school proms.

When the news broke, the Baltimore Alumnae Chapter immediately jumped at the opportunity to help and later reached out to the Beta Mu Chapter at Salisbury University to join them in their efforts. From there, Prom Giveaway was born. Evelyn Gaines, Dress for Success Greater Baltimore Board President, worked with the groups in the weeks leading up to and during the event. Evelyn’s team created a Facebook event page for the cause which sparked the interest of several local Alpha Sigma Tau alumnae who had not realized there was such a great Dress for Success presence in the area. Many area alumnae donated gently used prom, bridesmaid, and evening dresses and accessories, dropping them off with the Beta Mu collegians.

On the day of the event, collegians and alumnae arrived two hours early to prepare the site for the day’s excitement. Some members sorted donations by size and color for easy shopping, while others prepared the space with the on-theme green and gold décor graciously provided by the Dress for Success staff. During the event, members volunteered as prom dress "personal shoppers" and assisted with styling for the clients who came to the event. “One young woman came to the event by herself, so another Sister and I made it our mission to help her find a dress and accessories and generally help her out,” explained Megan MacFeat (Beta Mu 2008/Salisbury), Baltimore Alumnae Chapter Vice President. “It was very rewarding to help her and the other young women who attended the event, that’s for sure.”

Through Prom Giveaway, Baltimore-area Sisters helped approximately 20 prom-goers build confidence and create lasting memories. Moments like this—where we see our Sisters uplifting other women—remind us that empowering others is a defining characteristic of our greater Sisterhood.

IMPACT UPDATE

Lack of access to adequate transportation is a common barrier to employment and preparedness programming, but Dress for Success Pittsburgh’s mobile boutiques help remove some of those barriers.

At our 42nd National Convention in 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, National President Tiffany K. Street announced that Alpha Sigma Tau would be a sponsor of Dress for Success Pittsburgh’s signature fundraising event, Women Rock Pittsburgh. This fundraising event helped DFS Pittsburgh launch two mobile boutiques in 2019 that increase their reach to more women entering and returning to the workforce in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

“Our ultimate goal is to ensure that women receive the clothing and connections they need to feel strong, empowered, and confident as they take the next step in their career journey to financial independence,” says Tanya Mallory, CEO, Dress for Success Pittsburgh.

Congratulations, Dress for Success Pittsburgh!